Pay outstanding arrears and conclude negotiations on a living wage, federal employees demand to FG

The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has urged the federal government to settle all outstanding arrears owed to workers.

The employees also urged the government to devise a payment plan for the cost-of-living allowance by the end of this month.

Comrade Andrew Emelieze, the National Coordinator of FWF, explained in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Wednesday that the announcement of the removal of petroleum subsidies has exacerbated Nigeria’s harsh economic reality.

Since the federal government eliminated the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), the country has been plunged into a severe cost-of-living crisis, he added.

Emelieze stated, “The harsh economic reality in Nigeria has been exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidies; consequently, our nation has been plunged into a severe cost of living crisis.” Since the removal of the fuel subsidy three months ago, prices of products and services have skyrocketed while wages have remained unchanged, drastically reducing the purchasing power of Nigerian employees.

He also urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), and the federal government to conclude all negotiations on a living wage for Nigerian workers by September 30, 2023.